Piano



S. C. SHILL.

May 1o, 1949.

` PIANO 3 Sheets-Sheet l Y Filed May 18, 1946 INVENTOR. S/DNEY C. SH/LL ATTORNEY NN 6 o@ L Nm.

S. C. SHILL May 10, 1949.

PIANO 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1946 IN V EN TOR.

gY/DNEY C SH/ LL Q Wvg@ L/gfw asl.

May 10, 1949. s. c. slnl 2,469,668

PIANO Filed May 18, 1946 5 Shee'tS-Sheet 3 JV-VENTQR. A R4 LqyvY/DNEYCH/LL @tf/m M ATTOENE Y Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES if-PATENT OFFICE lPIANO v Sidney C. Shill, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 18, 1946, Serial No. 670,693

llllaims. 1

This invention relates to musicalinstruments, particularly pianofortes ofy the general character embodied in my United States Letters-,Patent No. 2,377,582,1ssued to me on June 5, 1945. In the above identified letters .patent there is disclosed andclaimed a horizontal, ,downstrike piano action whose elements Aare so` structurally characterized and functionallyrelated that the action `will be extremely. compact, ,and .will be particularly ,adaptecl,v althoughl not necessarily, for use in a portablepiano of suchsmallldimensions as to, fit in an airplane trunk or beneath a car or steamer berth, as well as be inexpensive and comparatively light in Weight so as topromotewide-spreaduse of ,the .instrument and convenient transportation thereof.

Furthermore, theinstrument Las disclosed and claimed in the above identiedpatent embodies the standard /s of an inchkey dip and 1'7/3 inches hammer stroke; uses standard piano actionparts; has thetouch of a conventional action so that normal playing techniquemay be developed at4 the instrument;and whose parts are conveniently accessible and adjustable, with each key and hammer unit removable `from the action for adjustment, inspection, or repair without disturbing other units.

The primary object of thepresent invention is to provide a piano action ofthe horizontal, downstrike hammer type which has all of the qualifications and advantages of the action disclosed in the aforestated Patent No. 2,377,582, andin` addition, has operatively associated with its mechanism, a means which functions to restore the operative connectionbetween the jack and hammer following playing of a note, during the return movement of the key to its playing position, and sufficiently prior to reaching such position, that repetition of the note may be effected with the surety andiidelity comparable to thaty obtainable with the expensive full scale actions of high class uprightandgrand pianos, whereby to compensate for the faulty technique of the pianist in failing 'to permit'the key to return to its fully raised playing position after each playing of the note in executing a repetition or trilling passage, thus rendering the simply constructed and relatively inexpensive action of this invention capable of being used as the structural and functional musicalequivalent, in an '88 note scale, of the more complicated randexpensive actions of grand pianos, all to the end of enabling the cost of a high class instrument-to 'be materially reducedand the bulky grand piano to-be superseded by a compact instrument-of small dimensions, havingequivalent tone quality and performance.

, It is another object` of this inventionto provide a horizontal, downstrikehammer type action with Whichthe lnovel and simply,l constructed repetition device is operativelyassociated in a manner toobtain maximum efficiency in insuring the repeated playing of anote in response to depression lof a partly `raised key inexecuting a repetitionor trilling passage, al1 without detracting from the ease of assembling.anddisassembling the key and hammer unit.

It is a further object 'of this invention to provide a-piano action o f-the above` described character which the .jack let-oir or escapement function is performed by the repetition device so asto eliminate a separate let-off member or its equivalent as embodied inthey aforestated Patent No. 2,377,582, thus structurally simplifying the action lwithout adversely affecting its mechanical eiliciency.

.n With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and lfunctional relationships ofl elements as set forth in the following specification' and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

, Inthe accompanying drawings,

r-Figure 1-is a vertical, transverse sectional view throughthe key ,frame of apiano action embodying my invention,y and illustratingn its normal position, atypical key and hammer unit;

Figure 2 is a view similarto Figure 1, and illustrating the key partly depressed to a positiony immediatelyin advance of that at which the i let-off or escapement of the jack from the hammer takes pla-ce;

y `Figure Sis a view similar to `Figure 1, and illustrating the positions of the working parts immediately following the let-offl of the jack fromthe hammer;

Figure '4 is a view similar to ,Figure 3, and illustratinng vthe positions of the working. .parts at which the repetition mechanism functions to enable the operative connection :between the jack and hammer tobe restored with the keyheld in partly depressed position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view takenon .the line 5--5 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a vertical, transversesectional view through the key frame of a second form of piano action embodying this invention, and illustrating in its normal position, a typical key and hammer unit;

.-Figure 7 is a view similar to: Figure 6, and

3 illustrating the let-off position of the jack;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the piano action embodying this form of the invention comprises a key frame I having a center rail Il supporting the balance key pins I2, on each o1" which latter is pivotally mounted approximately medially of its ends a key I3 for movement corresponding to the normal key dip of of an inch, from the normal raised playing position shown in Figure 1, to the fully depressed position shown in Figure 3. A front key pin I4 (Figure 1) eoacts with each key to confine same to its vertical movement. f

At its inner end the top portion of the key I3 is cut away to leave a relatively narrow end portion I 5 on which is supported a hammer ange I6 having a iiat base I'I through which extends an lopening I3 receiving a screw I9 threaded into the portion I5 of the key I3. Pivotally mounted on the flange I6 by means of a pin 20 is the shank 2l of a hammer 22. A wire spring 23 has one end coiled at 24 and anchored to the hammer iiange I6. The other and rounded end of the spring 23 seats in a longitudinal groove 25 in the hammer shank 2l and the spring urges the hammer 22 upwardly to its full raised position relative to its string 26, which, like all strings of the piano, is horizontally disposed at a level immediately below the key frame I0. As shown in Figure l, the upward movement oi the hammer under the action of the spring 23 is definitely limited by a felt 2'I. In its raised position, the heel portion 29 of the hammer head 38 is opposite to and slightly clears the felt 3| of a back check 32 whose wire 33 is rigidly anchored in the jack rail 38 and may be utilized to support the felt 27.

A jack flange 35 is provided with a longitudinal slot 36 through which passes a screw 3l into the jack rail 38 to mount the iiange 35 for adjustment on the rail by means of a feed screw 39 threadedly mounted in an overhanging portion 4U of the rail to abut the end of the flange, all as shown in Figure 1. A jack 4I is pivotally mounted on the ange 35 by means of a pin 42, and a spring 43 co-acts with the jack spring wire 44 to urge the jack to the extreme position shown in Figure 1 wherein the free end of the jack abuts a knuckle 46 on the hammer shank as also shown in this Figure. To determine this extreme position, the spring 43 may be adjusted to become unloaded thereat, or a stop (not shown) similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,377,582 may be provided on the hammer' shank.

A let-off rod 4T which may be optionally utilized as the aforesaid stop for the jack 4|, is iixed to the portion I5 of the key I3 to clear the path of movement of the hammer shank 2l, with the free end of the let-off rod disposed to engage and move the jack clear of the knuckle 46 when the key I3 has been depressed slightly less than the amount necessary for the hammer 22 to complete its strike of 1% inches, thus disrupting the operative connection between the key and hammer.

A damper 48 is secured to one end of a flexible lever 49 secured in a slot 50 in the key frame IU. A lift tape 52 is detachably connected at one end to the loop 53 of alift wire 54 anchored in the portion I5 of the key I3. The other end ofthe tape 52 is passed through two openings in the lever 49 to lock the tape to the lever in any selected position of longitudinal adjustment.

rEhe usual sustaining pedal bar 5l common to the damper 48 of all the strings 26, is arranged beneath the lever 49.

A repetition member in the form of a lever 53 oi the rst class is pivotally mounted directly above the` hammer shank 2I at 6I on a flange 62 secured to the jack flange rail 38. The lever Si) is urged by a spring 53 to the extreme position shown in Figure l wherein the inner end of the lever engages the stop regulating button 84 of a screw E5 threadedly mounted in the rail 33 for adjustment to vary the extreme position of the lever in one direction. The outer end of the lever Gi), which projects above the hammer ange I E, has threadedly mounted therein the adjusting screw 56 of a lift regulating button B'l. In the present instance the button 61 is located for engagement by the upper end of the hammer flange I5 to move the lever against its spring 63 when the key i3 is depressed from its normal playing position, although it will be understood that mean= other than the hammer flange may be provided for this purpose.

in the playing position of the key I3 and the fully raised position of the hammer 22 shown in Figure l, the repetition lever 60 rests against the knuckle 45 and against the stop regulating button 54 under the action of the spring 53, with the lift regulating button 6.' spaced from the actuating means provided by the hammer flange I5, so as to function with respect to the key and hammer unit in a manner to be fully described in the operation of the invention which is as follows:

Initial depressing movement of the key i3 from the normal raised playing position shown in Figure l. by pressure of the finger upon the outer end of the key, will raise the inner end of the key, and hence will raise the pivoted end of the hammer 22 directly mounted on the key by the iiange I5. As the knuckle 45 on the hammer shank 2! is abutting the free lower end portion of the jack 4l, movement of the hammer 22 towards the string 2G will be effected, as shown in Figure 2.

As depressing movement of the key approaches the position shown in Figure 2, the let-OIT rod 4'! engages the jack 4I, which latter is then pushed o of the knuckle 46 with but a relatively slight wiping motion against the knuckle when the hammer reaches a point about 1A; of an inch from the string, whereby to disrupt the operative connection between the key and hammer in order to prevent blocking of the hammer on the string.

It will be noted that in Figure 1 the damper lifting tape 52 is normally slack and is pulled taut by the key I3 during the aforestated movement of the key, so as to lift the damper 48 from the string 26 just prior to striking of the latter by the hammer, whereby to render the string free to vibrate, as clearly shown in Figure 3. Upon the release of the key, the hammer spring 23 restores the hammer to its fully raised position in engagement with the felt 21, and the key returns by gravity to its playing position shown in Figure l, thus permitting the jack spring 43 to restore the jack 4I to its normal position of Figure 1 and in operative relationship to the knuckle 4E.

It will also be noted that although the back check felt 3l will be clear of the hammer in the normal raised playing position of the latter, and will not obstruct free movement of the hammer by the key, and in the other direction by the spring 23, theback check will 'co-actwith the heel4 portion- 29 of the hammer head in prevent ing unintentional repeated striking of the string bythe hammer should be key be held depressed. Under suchcondi-tions, the heel portion 29 of the hammer head will become-jammed or wedged against the back check felt 3l during the return movement of the hammer bythe spring 23, due

to the fact that the hammer pivot 2b on the key moves closer .to the back check during raising .movementof the inner end of the key, allas yshown in A.this gure. .Howeven upon the release of the key with -the attending movement of the. hammer pivotV 20 awayfrom vthe back check,32, -the hammer will instantly disengage the Aback check felt 3l. so as to continue movement toits fully raised position under the action of the spring 23.

During this normal operation of themechanismv accompanied by afull release of the key I3 afterfeach playing of a note, the repetition lever 60 is rocked idly about its pivot Gl on the flange 62, in .one direction by engagement of the harnrner flange I6 with the lift regulating button 6l tomove the lever oi of the knuckle 46 on which it normally rests as shown in Figure 1,

let-off operation, with the key held in partly de pressed position, thus enabling repetition or trilling to be effected.

In this connection, it will be noted that dur ing initial depressing movement of the key from its normal raised playingpositionof Figure l, the hammer ange. Iengages the lift regulating button 61 of the repetition lever 6i) to move Vthe latter` oi ofthe knuckleA as previously described, and away from the stop regulatingbutton 54, against the action of the spring 63 as shown in Figure 2, all so as to prevent the repetition lever from interfering with the subsequent let-off of the jack 4| from the hammer22.

As depressing movement of the key approaches the position shown in Figure 3, the let-oft rod fil engages the jack 4l and pushes the latter on of the knuckle 4f6 to disrupt the operative connection between the jack and hammer inr order to prevent blocking of the latter on the string as also previously described. With the key held fully depressed, and the hammer rebounding from the string, its knuckle'd will strike the repetition lever 60 so as to move same slightly against the action of the spring E3, concurrently With which the heel portion of the hammer head 30 jams against the back check, all as shown in Figure 3.

As the key is released, the hammer is freed from the back check 32 so as to permit the hammer spring 23 to move the hammerupwardly. However, under the action of the spring 53 of the repetition lever `(ill, force is exerted upon the hammer through-the knuckle 46 to delay the return` movement of the hammer to its normal `position sufiiciently for the jack spring 43 to restore' the jack to its position of operative engagement with the hammer knuckle 46 even though the. key is not fully released and is only raised approximately 1/2 of the key dip.

Thus, by fully depressing the key from this partly raised position, the vhammer will co-act with the jack to again strike the string,fwhereby to compensate for faulty technique of the pianist in failing to fully release the keyl for its return to its normal raised playing position before again depressing the key to execute a repetition or trilling passage.

From the foregoing description, it will be clear that the repetition lever Bil, although actively vfunctioning at any time that the key is not permitted to return to its normal raised playing position, has no adverse effect on the normal operation of the mechanism as results from the full return movement of the key, as under such normal operation the hammer spring 23 restores the hammer to its fully raised position in engagement with the felt 21, and the key returns by gravity to, playing position, thus-permitting thejack spring 43 to restore'the jack 4| to its position in operative relation to the knuckle 46.

Reference will now be had toFigures 6, 7 and 8 which illustrate a second form of piano action embodying this invention, structurally differing from the form ofthe invention previously described, by omitting the separate let-oir member Kil. `The jack let-oli or escapement function of fthe let-ori member 4l isV accomplished by a .means embodied in a control or repetition member Mia.

yThe member iiiavnot only performs the pre viously described function of the repetition member Sil in enabling repetition to be effected by fully depressing a key from a partly depressed position, but also actuates the jack 4| to disrupt its operative connection to the hammer 22 before the hammer strikes the string 26,. in order to prevent blocking of the hammer on the string.

. The control member :60a is identical in construction to the repetition member 6!) with the sole exception that a let-off portion in the form oi a lateral or transverse shoulder 60h isv provided on the member 60a at a location to be engaged by and form a stop for the jack` 4l in the normal position of the action shown in Figure 6. Thus, the jack will be in the path of movement of the shoulder Elib when the control member is raised by the hammer flange I6 in response to depression ofthe key I3, as previously den scribed andillustrated in Figure 2.

.A When the key I3 is depressed from its normal playing position shown in Figure 6, and reaches the let-oi position .shown in Figure 7, the hammer iiange I6 and lift regulating buttonle of the control member 60a will have moved the latter sunciently for `its let-oil shoulder ,60D to shift forwardly in its arc of movement, the amount required to disengage the jack lll from the knuckle et, in order to prevent blocking of the hammer on the string.

it will be clear that the let-off and repetition iunctions of the control member 50a. are accomplished in the same timed relationship as are the respective functions ofthe previously described let-oii member 41 and repetition member M, and that the control memberta, also has no adverse effect upon the normal operation of the mechanism as results from the full return moveresponse to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammei` has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting the repetition member above the hammer; means urging the repetition member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; means limiting movement of the repetition member by the urging means to a position wherein the repetition member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; said repetition member being disposed to engage the hammer and impose the force of said urging means downwardly upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to delay upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operating position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

2. In a pianoforte, a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type comprising: a key; a hammer; means pivotally mounting the hammer on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string; a spring urging the hammer upwardly to an extreme position; a jack; a spring urging the jack to an operating position wherein it will effect downward movement of the hammer in response to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammer has reached a predetermined position'in its downward movement; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting the repetition member above the hammer; means urging the repetition member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; means limiting the movement of the repetition member by the urging means to a position wherein the repetition member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; means on the key engageable with the repetition member to move same against its urging means during initial depression of the key, sufficiently to remove from the hammer, any downward pressure imposed thereon by the repetition member, so that the latter will not interfere with the let-off operation; said repetition member being disposed to engage the hamme:` and impose the force of said urging means upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to delay upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operating position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be eifected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

3. In a pianoforte, a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type comprising: a key; a hammer; means pivotally mounting the hammer on the key for movement downwardly to Strike a string; means urging the hammer upwardly to an eXtreme position; a jack; means urging the jack to an operating position wherein it will effect downward movement of the hammer in response to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammer has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement; a back check supported in such fixed position that should the key be held depressed, the hammer will, during its upward movement, wedge itself against the back check to prevent repeated striking of the string; the relation of the back check to the hammer pivot being such that upon return movement of the key to playing position, the hammer pivot will move away from the back check suiciently for the hammer to free itself from the back check and be restored by its urging means to said extreme position; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting the repetition member above the hammer; means urging the repetition member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; means limiting the movement of the repetition member by the urging means to a position wherein the repetition member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; said repetition member being disposed to engage the hammer and impose the force of the member-urging means downwardly upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to delay upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operating position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

4. In a pianoforte, a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type comprising: a key; a hammer; means pivotally mounting the hammer on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string; means urging the hammer upwardly to an extreme position; a jack; means urging the jack to an operating position wherein it will effect downward movement of the hammer in response to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammer has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement; a repetition lever; means pivotally mounting the repetition lever intermediate its ends above the hammer for rocking movement about a fixed axis, a spring urging the repetition lever in a direction wherein the lever will engage the hammer to urge same downwardly; means co-acting with one end portion of the lever to limit its movement by its spring to a position wherein the lever will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; and means on the key (so-acting with the other end portion of said lever to move same against its spring during initial depression of the key, suiiiciently to remove from the hammer, any downward pressure imposed thereon by the repetition lever; said lever being operable to impose the force of its spring downwardly upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to retard upward movement of the hammer suiiciently for the jack to return to its operating position with the key in its said partly depressed position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

5. In a pianoforte, a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type comprising: a key; a hammer; means pivotally mounting the hammer on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string; a spring urging the hammer upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted for pivotal movement above the hammer; a spring urging the jack into operative engagement with the hammer for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammer has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting said member above the hammer; a spring urging said member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; a stop limiting movement of said member by said spring to a position wherein the member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; said member being disposed to engage the hammer and impose the force of said spring downwardly upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to delay upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operating position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be eiected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

6. In a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type, a key; a hammer pivotally mounted on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string, and urged upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted above the hammer and urged into operative engagement therewith for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; means for freeing the hammer from the jack when the hammer has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement; a repetition member; and means urging said member to impose a downward force upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to retard upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operative position with the key in said partly depressed position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position.

7. In a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type, a key; a hammer pivotally mounted on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string, and urged upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted above the hammer and urged into operative engagement therewith for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; a repetition member; means urging said member to impose a downward force upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to retard upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operative position with the key in said partly depressed position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position; and let-off means on the repetition member co-acting with the jack to move same out of operative engagement with the hammer when the latter has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement, so as to prevent blocking of the hammer on the string.

8. In a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type, a key; a hammer pivotally mounted on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string, and urged upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted above the hammer and urged into operative engagement therewith for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; a. repetition member; and means urging said member to impose a downward force upon the hammer should the key be held partly depressed following playing of a note, so as to retard upward movement of the hammer until the jack has returned to its operative position with the key in said partly depressed position, whereby to enable repetition of the note to be effected by fully depressing the key from said partly depressed position; said member having a let-off and stop shoulder engaged by the jack to move same out of operative engagement with the hammer when the latter has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement, so as to prevent blocking of the hammer on the string.

9. In a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type, a key; a hammer pivotally mounted on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string, and urged upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted above the hammer and urged into operative engagement therewith for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting the repetition member above the hammer; means urging said member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; means limiting movement of said member by the urging means to a position wherein said member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; means on the key engageable with the repetition member to move same against its urging means during initial depression of the key; and means on the repetition member engaging the jack and responsive to said movement of the repetition member by the key, to move the jack out of operative engagement with the hammer when the latter has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement.

10. In a horizontal action of the downstrike hammer type, a key; a hammer pivotally mounted on the key for movement downwardly to strike a string, and urged upwardly to an extreme position; a jack mounted above the hammer and urged into operative engagement therewith for downward movement of the hammer by the jack in response to depression of the key; a repetition member; means pivotally mounting said member above the hammer; means urging said member in a direction wherein the member will tend to urge the hammer downwardly; means limiting movement of said member by the urging means to a position wherein said member will be prevented from urging the hammer downwardly when the key occupies its normal playing position; means on the key engageable with said member to move same against its urging means during initial depression of the key; and a letoffstop shoulder on said member engaged by the jack and responsive to said movement of the member by the key, to move the jack out of operative en gagement with the hammer when the latter has reached a predetermined position in its downward movement.

SIDNEY C. SHILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Shill June 5, 1945 Shill Apr. 29, 1947 Number 

